EFFECTIVE transport links are essential if the North-East is to have a fighting chance of fulfilling its vast potential as a place to do business.

And there is no hiding from the fact that bmi’s decision to terminate three daily flights from Durham Tees Valley Airport to Heathrow is a severe blow to the region’s economic prospects.

Despite the recession, demand for flights between the Tees Valley and London remains high. It is a longestablished and vital link which enables North-East companies to compete nationally and globally.

The scandal is that BAA, the owner of Heathrow, has been given permission to increase landing charges by 75 per cent over the next five years, making short haul flights increasingly unprofitable.

This is an important enough issue for the region to unite behind a campaign aimed at having the link restored.

If the Government is serious about wanting wealth to be shared around the country, and for the north-south divide to be narrowed, it has to review the policy of allowing London to squeeze out regional airports.

All the North-East has ever asked for is a fair crack of the whip. But with its inflation-busting charges, BAA is being allowed to undermine our region’s efforts to prosper.

We call on all our MPs and decisionmakers to back the campaign for a review of this wholly unfair strategy.

Somehow, we have to find a way to keep the region flying.